Over 50 child labourers rescued from Bali Jatra Ground

Cuttack: More than 50 child labourers were rescued from the Bali Jatra Ground here on Monday.

The Cuttack District Child Protection Unit and some volunteers along with the Commissionerate Police rescued the children who were engaged at different works during the historic Bali Jatra.

From its preliminary investigation, police said that the child labourers were mostly from Bihar and West Bengal. They had come along with many hawkers to sell different things in the seven-day long trade fair.

The rescued children were provided food and clothes. Later, they were handed over to their respective parents with signing undertakings. The parents have been advised not to engage their children again at any work or else face action according to the law.

Police had put restriction on employing any child at any form of work during the jatra, which is slated to end on November 10. Earlier on the first day of the festival, it had conducted an awareness programme in this regar by visiting each stall. However, the Child Protection Unit and police swung into action after finding many children at work and rescued them.

Thousands of traders and artists from the state and outside have set up their stalls at the venue. Around 1400 stalls have been installed on the ground, spread over the 47 acres of land on Mahanadi river bed.